Connecticut Kitchen in Shaker Painted White

In 2014, Connecticut homeowner David Bienashski’s dramatic kitchen transformation won first place in the CliqStudios Kitchen Makeover Showdown. After online voting by CliqStudios’ Facebook followers, a tight race pitted the final 10 kitchens against each other. A panel of industry experts selected two runners up and Bienashski’s kitchen as the winner. Judging was based on three criteria: design, function and the degree of transformation.

Bienashski, a contractor, completed his kitchen makeover as part of a whole-home remodeling project that included CliqStudios cabinetry in the kitchen, baths, bar and pool/entertainment area. Working online with Sammi Lindemann, a CliqStudios designer, Bienashski expanded the kitchen footprint, moving walls and adding windows to open the space and bring in natural light. The new layout improves the traffic flow from the kitchen to the living space and pool area.

Hidden design feature: To create extra storage while keeping with the clean Shaker-style lines, the design included extra-depth wall cabinets. Recessed four inches into the wall, the cabinets provide exceptional capacity while maintaining the sleek appearance of a standard design Bienashski chose CliqStudios’ Shaker Painted White door style for his kitchen.